What is the Paradox of Choice? How Making A Decision is an Important Superpower
Choice is an important thing in this world. It is the power to choose that grants us freedom and individuality. It allows you to set yourself apart from the crowd.
You can make a choice about anything, at any time. There’s no shortage of things to make a choice and form an opinion on. What kind of food you like, what bands you want to listen to, how you choose to vote.
But how do you make those decisions? You would think that it’s pretty straightforward, but it’s actually not.
In his book The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz discusses this phenomenon and why more is actually less. The theory goes that the more options we have of something, the harder it is to make a choice. It also reduces people’s satisfaction with their decisions.
Have you ever been on Netflix trying to find something to watch but not being able to pick? That’s because there are too many options.
Go to a restaurant and can’t decide what to eat? There are too many things on the menu.
Ironically, the more options there are, the more it leads to indecision. You get stuck in analysis paralysis.
And if you’re indecisive, it gets old pretty fast.
Being around an indecisive person is a nightmare. They don’t always know what they want and it ends up spoiling the fun. It’s impossible to pick somewhere to eat, what movie to watch, or where to go.
You try to give options, but the more options you present, the more frustrated a person gets. The inability to make a decision ultimately leads to stress on all sides.
You think you need more choices when you can’t find what you want. You think that what’s in front of you doesn’t do it for you and you ponder, ‘If I had more choices, then I could make a choice.’ It’s ironic and the jokes on you.
You have to be able to make a decision. There’s power in that. It means you can get more accomplished and be more fulfilled in life.
When you can make a decision, then you’re not full of anxiety about your choices.
Of course, you may find yourself anxious about what you choose and whether or not it’s right.
But that’s okay. That’s an important part of life. Because now you can get feedback from your decisions and you can make a better, more informed one, next time.
If you can’t make a decision, you’ll never get anywhere in life. You’ll be forever stuck in place, contemplating what you want to do next.
That’s why being able to make a choice is a superpower.
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